TAMPA – Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winton’s rookie season began quite ominously, with Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh intercepting his first NFL pass and returning it 26 yards for a touchdown.
It ended rather favorably, though, with Winston becoming only the third rookie quarterback in NFL history and only the second quarterback in Bucs history to throw for 4,000 yards.
On Friday, Winston was rewarded for his resurgence and resiliency when he was named the winner of the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, which was voted on by fans via NFL.com.
Winston, who led all NFL quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns and completed 312 of 535 passes for 4,042 yards, 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, beat out Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper, Rams running back Todd Gurley, Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters and Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett for the honor.